A WARNING from the US government to its citizens about the threat from armed robbers in Nassau has gone international after the story was picked up by The Associated Press.
The US Embassy statement advised Americans living in and travelling to the Bahamas to remain on alert in an effort to avoid becoming a victim of crime.
The AP story notes that the security message was issued on Friday – about a week after an Illinois man Kyle Bruner was shot and killed during a robbery in Nassau.
The Embassy said several other US citizens have been robbed at gunpoint this year, and some have suffered serious injury.
“The Royal Bahamas Police Force website reports that for January 1 to April 15 there have been 328 armed robberies, 111 robberies, and 660 house break-ins,” the warning said.
“Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security,” it told US citizens.
Meanwhile, amid fears that such warnings could severely impact tourism arrivals, Kyle Bruner’s father Rick Bruner said he does not blame the people of the Bahamas for his son’s death.
“This sort of thing can and does happen in many cities around the world. My son was killed by a person and some will say he shouldn’t have been in that area or he shouldn’t have become involved in the struggle between the woman being robbed and her assailant, but he was not a person who would stand by and watch someone being victimised,” said Mr Bruner in a message left on www.tribune242.com.
He said Kyle’s death has created a whirlwind of talk, warnings and suggestions, and that he hopes the incident will in some small way remind people that to create change, they must have the will to change.
“This doesn’t mean relying on government to create that change, after all government is merely a reflection of a country’s citizens. It means that ordinary people have to make the commitment to change what is happening and work together to achieve their goals.
“Some might say that I have no business telling Bahamians how to conduct their affairs and they would be right, I am not telling you what to do. I am merely saying that no family wants to be notified that their child has been senselessly murdered, whether they are American or Bahamian,” Mr Bruner said.
Last week Friday, four men were charged in the magistrate’s court with Kyle Bruner’s murder.
Twenty-year-old Craig Johnson, of Clarke’s Alley; Anton Bastian, 19, of Abraham Street; Jamaal Dorfevil, 28, of St James Road and Marcellus Williams, 21, of Culmer’s Alley, all appeared before Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez.
They are also accused of robbing a woman of her handbag valued at $30 and an Iphone valued at $900; robbing another person of a handbag valued at $20, a black Iphone valued at $300, and $30 cash.
Comments
USAhelp 10 years, 11 months ago
Wont miss it till it is gone.
Concerned 10 years, 11 months ago
What do you expect when the now Deputy Prime Minister was all over the news telling the world how bad things are and putting up bill boards to keep the information fresh? What do you expect when the Minister of Tourism is all over the media warning tourists how degrading our society has gotten? What you expect when we have a minister and junior minister of national security who have their heads stuck in the ground believing that crime is down when in truth all hell is breaking loose in our communities? What the U.S. talking about? We straight man - the PLP is in power.
Unproud242 10 years, 11 months ago
Nassau is NOT the entire Bahamas and there are other wonderfully safe islands in This country. It's a shame that we have to suffer for them when 'out islanders' still leave their doors unlocked and feel safe anywhere they go. Perhaps we should stop reporting these statistics as a country and call the demon what it is...Nassau. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see more attempts at independence from residents of some of these islands.
Goodbye 10 years, 11 months ago
3 years ago our 26 year old captain was eobbed at gun point on Paridise island 100 yards from the police station. Nothing happened...
We returned to the Bahamas.
1 year ago I was with my family aboard our old Hatteras in Bahamas waters again. we were boarded by 5 guys with high powered weapons and 1 woman. The Navy. their mission according to them and the newspaper was to stop smugglers of illegal aliens & drugs. After a thorough search of our vessel they found 5 grams of canabis. 5 grams. We had 12 Bahamian guest aboard the day before. After a 16 hour ordeal at jail and threats ( yes threats) of taking us to Nassau... " You dont want to go there". We paid an enormous fine as we were led to believe that in Nassau things would get "worse .
Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.
We, as well as other tourist go where we are appreciated.
Goodbye Bahamas
Goodbye 10 years, 11 months ago
Excuse the previous comment typo.
3 years ago our boat Captain was robbed at gun point 100 yards from the police station on Paradise Island ( near the marina) , & nothing came of it...
USAhelp 10 years, 11 months ago
Harbor Island is a great safe place to visit. I wish more tourist would experience the out island the perception is all of the Bahamas is like Nassau. Not sure if this can be fixed.
oliver234 8 years, 8 months ago
Considering this tragic event, tourists should either be more careful when traveling to Nassau or they can choose a safer travel destination. The http://enchanted-france.com/">European tour packages offer a great alternative to those who want to discover new places without worrying that something unexpected might happen that could ruin their vacation.
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